Clashes Erupt in Punjab Civic Polls: Turban Removed, Lathicharge Reported

Violence Mars Punjab Civic Body Elections

Punjab witnessed tension and sporadic violence during the civic body elections on Tuesday, with major incidents reported from Majitha and Pathankot, while polling elsewhere remained largely peaceful.

Majitha Incident: Student Assaulted, Turban Removed

In Majitha, an MA student named Tajinderpal Singh Mann was allegedly assaulted outside a polling booth during clashes. The attackers injured his head and forcibly removed his turban, an act seen as an affront to Sikh identity. SAD leader Bikramjit Majithia shared videos on X, accusing the state government of using intimidation and administrative pressure to influence the Majitha municipal council polls. He alleged, "When a Sikh youth is stripped of his turban and forced to seek justice with folded hands, it shows rule of law has given way to goondaism." Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Majithia claimed that an AAP leader initiated the attack. He later helped restore the youth's turban and ensured his admission to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar.

Majithia also alleged that police stopped his vehicle at a distance from the polling booth, forcing him and his wife, MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, to walk. He further objected to the presence of alleged AAP supporters near the booth, accusing them of influencing voters.

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AAP Denies Allegations

AAP Majitha in-charge Talbir Singh Gill dismissed the allegations, claiming he reached the spot after receiving information about Majithia arriving with supporters. He alleged that SAD workers themselves triggered the clash, manhandled an AAP worker, and caused the youth's injury.

Pathankot Incident: Voter Alleges Misconduct

Meanwhile, in Pathankot, a dispute broke out at Polling Booth No. 87 in Ward 32 after a voter, Sanjay Puri, alleged misconduct by polling staff and police. He claimed that ink was not applied to his finger after voting and that he was manhandled when he raised the issue, leading to brief tension outside the booth. Police denied the allegations, stating that Puri had initially refused ink on medical grounds and later created a disturbance upon returning to the polling station. They maintained that no physical altercation took place.

Political Reactions and Aftermath

The incidents have sparked a war of words between the ruling AAP and the opposition SAD. While SAD demands action against those responsible for the assault, AAP has countered with accusations of SAD workers instigating violence. The elections, which saw a mixed voter turnout, have highlighted the charged political atmosphere in the state.